I remember the first time my oldest child swore. He was about two and commented on the outcome of the Chicago Bears game. I laughed so hard that tears came. He used the word correctly, intentionally and…

At 35 years old, our son Peter is a remarkable young man living with autism. As his parents, we have embarked on an unexpected journey. Diagnosed at the tender age of two, we were fortunate to access early interventions and services tailored to his needs. Yet, despite this support, there are moments when it feels like something is inherently broken, leaving us with a sense of helplessness.

I’m sure by now, if you’ve been to any Hand in Hand event or stopped by one of our locations, you’ve met Chuck, our therapy dog. Chuck, a 10-year-old labradoodle aptly named for Chuck Norris in Walker, Texas Ranger, was trained in Ranger, TX by All Purpose Canines to be a diabetes alert dog for a little boy.

Have you ever wondered how to get involved with Hand in Hand? Maybe you’ve volunteered at our Chili Cook-Off but don’t know what else to volunteer for. Maybe you’ve donated to us but want to get involved in person. Maybe you want to get involved virtually. Either way we’ve got an opportunity for you!

Fifteen St. Ambrose students walk through the door of Tessa’s Place on a Friday morning ready to read, play, and lesson plan for our inclusive programs. They are the newest group of occupational therapy students to visit Hand in Hand. Hand in Hand has been partnering with St. Ambrose University’s Occupational Therapy Department since 2021.